"Or could it be that these players can’t accept that Su Xi was boosted into the starting lineup by his fans from the entertainment world through non-basketball means? Charles, you know better than anyone that Jack’s starting spot isn’t exactly honorable. He didn’t earn it based on his skills," Kenny Smith said caustically.

"I don’t see it that way. When you combine Jack’s individual stats and his team’s performance, he’s the best of all the rookies this year. He absolutely deserves to represent the rookie class as an All-Star starter."

Barkley retorted.

"Then let me ask you: LeBron James, Carmeron Anthony, Dwyane Wade—who among those three is he better than? Honestly, if you put Syracuse in the Pacers’ lineup, I don’t think he’d be any worse than him," Kenny Smith said.

"Before Jack left the Knight, they were in the top four of the East. Now, they’re tenth. And you say LeBron is better than him? Have Cameron or Wade ever broken any historical records? Jack is this year’s triple-double king, the steals king, and the first super-rookie in history to get a quadruple-double in a season opener," Barkley listed the stats.

"I’m talking about potential, understand? Natural talent and potential!" Smith always had a comeback.

Su Xi came off the court to rest at the four-minute, thirty-two-second mark.

With 2 points and 1 rebound, he had nothing much to do.

’This All-Star game really isn’t fun. It’s not for me.’ Since no one was playing defense, he’d feel awkward being the only one who did.

’When it comes to putting on an offensive show, I’m really not on the same level as the other rookies.’

So, he asked to be taken off the court.

He knew his temporary teammates were jealous and deliberately isolating him. But he didn’t take it to heart in the slightest. ’Whatever. It’s just one exhibition game. It doesn’t matter whether I play or not; I can just save my strength.’

’Besides, weren’t Kobe and Jordan isolated back in their day, too?’

Su Xi slouched in his chair and closed his eyes, resting. The commercial shoot last night had been surprisingly tiring.

Just as Su Xi thought the game would pass by uneventfully, trouble came looking for him.

The Rookie Challenge was divided into two twenty-minute halves.

This was based on NCAA rules.

Since both teams only had nine players, everyone got ample playing time.

LeBron James was left on the court the whole time. Doug Collins, true to his reputation as a kingmaker, was letting him shine. He was playing brilliantly tonight—he had the shot, the drive, the pass... His talent was undeniable.

Moreover, against this level of defensive intensity, his ball-handling looked silky smooth.

The most impressive players on the sophomore team were two forwards, Boozer and Stadumier.

With Ah Bu on the bench resting, Stadumier became the sophomores’ most important offensive weapon.

Last season, Stadumier averaged 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds, winning Rookie of the Year. This season, his stats had surged to 20.6 points and 9.1 rebounds. In 2004, a 20-point scorer was a rarity, especially from the post. A big man who could average 20-plus was one of a kind.

This was why he was so angry about not making the All-Star team.

Stadumier had some ball-handling skills, his face-up one-on-one technique was taking shape, and some of his moves were very refined. At the same time, he was also a player of supreme athletic ability.

Basketball experts believed he was even more athletic than Kenyon Martin and possessed immense offensive potential, a power forward with the ferocity of Shaun Kemp.

After completing two powerful, thunderous dunks in the 15th minute, Stadumier roared toward the sideline, "Little Sheep Su Xi, you should have given that damned All-Star starting spot to me!"

Su Xi opened his eyes. Stadumier shot him a deeply provocative look.

Just then, he stealthily made a shocking gesture: he put his hands to his face and pulled back the corners of his eyes. The slant-eye gesture.

The gesture was extremely provocative, and a textbook racist taunt.

Su Xi immediately flipped him off with both hands.

Then, he walked over to Doug Collins. "Put me in!"

Huh?

Collins took a moment to register what was happening.

Su Xi repeated himself, "I want to play."

"Okay."

Collins didn’t hesitate for a second.

He was here with a mission.

The NBA Alliance had brought him here hoping to use his "kingmaker" reputation to give James a boost. And he had done just that, even letting James handle the ball.

However, his own boss had told him: "If Jack has any requests, grant them."

Although Doug Collins didn’t understand why his boss would say that, his boss was always a bit strange. James Dolan was the most inscrutable owner in the entire NBA.

He was generous, though.

He had casually given Collins a check for 20,000 USD, telling him to have fun in Los Angeles.

He hadn’t been all that happy about it, but with that 20,000 USD check, he was now ecstatic.

So, when Su Xi said he wanted a rest, Collins had immediately subbed him out, even asking if he wanted to put on a jacket. February in Los Angeles could be a bit chilly.

Now, Su Xi was saying he wanted to go in.

Collins didn’t hesitate, agreeing immediately. Then he even asked, "What position do you want to play?"

"Power forward."

Su Xi’s aim was fixed directly on Stadumier.

Collins quickly crooked a finger at Chris Bosh, signaling for him to come off the court for a rest.

Su Xi walked toward the scorer’s table.

CLANG!

James’s shot clanked off the rim.

Stadumier grabbed the rebound and handed it off to Ginobili. Ginobili brought the ball into the frontcourt, ran a pick-and-roll with Stadumier, then passed it back to him. Stadumier pulled up for a jumper from the high post... SWISH!

It was good.

That was Stadumier’s 19th point of the game.

The sophomore team was now leading 52-46, a six-point advantage.

If the game continued on this trajectory, there was no doubt the sophomores would win, and just as little doubt that Stadumier would be named MVP.

But then—BZZT!

The buzzer sounded.

Su Xi was checking in.

He walked straight toward Stadumier.

Stadumier sneered. ’Perfect timing! I was just getting worried I wouldn’t have a chance to deal with you. Let the whole world open its eyes and see who really deserves to be an All-Star!’

...